Earlier today, guests gathered in Universal’s Islands of Adventure to help mark the official opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest mega attraction, Reign of Kong. This new ride brings the next generation of the King Kong legend to life on a massive scale. The adventure starts as guests are transported deep into a mysterious world, where their mission is to discover creatures of unknown origin with the 8th Wonder Expedition Company, the team leading the excursion.

The specially designed expedition vehicle, which operates on a completely trackless ride system, takes guests deeper into the ominous island, where they soon find themselves in the midst of a brutal struggle between beasts of unimaginable size and ferocity.

Then, as those creatures turn on the expedition team, there is an even more enormous, earth-pounding presence. It is Kong – in the flesh. Towering nearly three stories tall, he is so close that you can feel his breath and sense his emotion. But is he friend or foe?

And tomorrow, Universal Orlando’s fifth on-site hotel, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, will welcome its first guests. The 1,000-room Caribbean-themed hideaway will feature the destination’s largest resort-style pool with a water slide, cabanas, and a fire pit. The pool is surrounded by two sand beaches, a picturesque waterfall and a breathtaking lush lagoon, which will take guests to Universal Orlando’s two incredible theme park and CityWalk via water taxi. The hotel will also feature several unique and immersive dining experiences.